Friday, February 11, 2000

TCS Intro: 2/11/00


WELCOME!

* CyberSceneTV
Our first show is live and you can see it at: http://www.cyberscenetv.com
It covers the history of the Silicon Alley Cyber Scene, an interview with Flooz co-founder Robert Levitan and a look at that week's parties.

The next show will be about the London Cyber Scene.

* Press/Appearances/Classes
The Independent, "Cocktails in Cyberspace - RSVP," January 24, 2000.
(http://www.independent.co.uk/news/Digital/Features/2000-01/cocktail240100.shtml)

* Cocktails with Courtney -- www.CocktailswithCourtney.com
February 15 -- London. Yes, we're finally crossing the Atlantic and having our inaugural cocktail party in the town of Big Ben, Queen Elizabeth, Bobbies and Harrods.
February 23 -- NYC
February 24 -- Boston



Happy Birthday Mom

Some of you may remember one of my early designs of my website. There was a picture of my eyes peeking out from under a lilac-adorned wide-brimmed straw hat. Underneath it was an excerpt from "Invitation," a poem by Shel Silverstein, one of the world's most creative poets who's delighted audiences of children and adults alike. The excerpt was:

            "If you are a dreamer, come in,
            If you are a dreamer,
            A wisher, a liar,
            A hope-er, a pray-er,
            A magic bean buyer…
            …Come in!
            Come in!"

This poem still epitomizes my thoughts on the people I know and meet in the Internet industry. We are all dreamers, hope-ers and wishers and the nature of the 'Net is to welcome new ones (newbies) in.

The first person who taught me this magical poem was my mother who gave me Silverstein's book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" for my birthday many years ago. Today, February 11th, is my mother's birthday.

She, the original magic bean buyer, taught me that "art mistakes are surprise beginnings" and the lesson that "if you give someone a fish, they can eat for a day, but if you teach a person to fish, they can eat for a lifetime." (I don't think there's a VC out there who wouldn't admit that failed start-ups lead to new ventures.) It's amazing how life's lessons learned in those early years play out for us similarly years and years later.

My mother is an elementary school art teacher and every day she instills in children a sense of wonder for color, shapes, textures, art history and the confidence to create. We are lucky to be in an industry that also encourages such freedom, creativity and magic. I am lucky to have a mother who, like all the Hallmark cards describe, encourages my efforts, celebrates my victories, listens and consoles when I'm down and is proud of my achievements whatever I do -- however big or small they might be -- she's just proud that I'm her daughter.

We don't often say it until the May holiday that Hallmark capitalizes on--Mother's Day--but Moms are our nurturing, fighting, soothing, warrior, comforting and knowing leaders in so many of our lives. I'm proud that she's my mother. I watched a woman, described by her colleagues as a "fashion plate," work in her art room. I saw her spend hours organizing art exhibits in local libraries for children and their families to experience a sense of achievement and success in a subject many feel inadequate in. I watched her coordinate art exchanges with elementary schools around the world so students could learn about other children, cultures and share artwork. I learned about little touches making the difference at parties. I learned about how to try and be a good person and to try and treat everyone equally and fairly. I learned many, many things, and I have many, many more to learn still.

Thank you Mom. Happy Birthday!